Veteran Wins Group`s Top State Post

People/Entertainment

June 19, 1986|By Elaine A. Ellis, Staff Writer

Around 40 years ago, Jack Feilich was asked to fill in for the adjutant in the Jewish War Veterans post in his native New York, and thus began a love affair with the organization and the issues of concern to veterans.

Now, 40 years after he agreed to temporarily fill in for the adjutant of that New York post, Feilich holds the highest position in the state of Florida for a member of the Jewish War Veterans.

At the annual state convention on June 7, Feilich was elected Florida commander of the organization. His command covers 50 posts and more than 50,000 men and women from Tallahassee to the Keys.

As commander, the Kings Point resident leads the organization`s delegation to Tallahassee when the Legislature is in session. And he travels to Washington, D.C., with the delegation six to 12 times a year to speak with congressmen about bills that concern veterans.

But Feilich, a father of three and grandfather of five, would not give up his involvement in the organization.

``These are sacrifices we have to make,`` he said. ``If I had to do life over again, I`d make these sacrifices.``

Feilich served in World War II in the Pacific and was highly decorated.

``I did my share and I was proud to do it,`` Feilich said. ``If the time came and I had to defend my country, I`d do it again.``

The Jewish War Veterans visit veteran hospitals, lobby for veterans` concerns and help in community activities like non-denominational veterans group.

But the Jewish War Veterans have an additional aim: ``To uphold the fair name of the Jew and fight his battles wherever unjustly assailed; to encourage the doctrine of universal liberty, equal rights and full justice to all men; to combat the powers of bigotry and darkness wherever originating and whatever their target.``

Feilich has fought anti-Semitism throughout his life.

``To have freedom, you have to fight to preserve it,`` Feilich said. ``If you don`t fight to protect your freedom, you`ll lose it. We have to protect all our values continually. People with their own aspirations would gnaw at the freedoms we have. You have to be aware and always on your guard.``

Feilich and his wife, Shirley, had anticipated a leisurely retirement of golf, fishing and cards when they moved to Florida about 10 years ago.

But Jack Feilich could not keep still.

``The plight of the veteran is so complex,`` Feilich said. ``It`s last on the totem pole as far as monies. We give, we don`t ask. The government made promises to take care of us. We didn`t ask for them. Now, that we have it, they`re trying to take it away every time there is a cut in the budget.``

According to Philip Kaplan, the adjutant to Feilich, the new state commander is a real ``veteran`s man.``

``(Feilich) is a dedicated and devoted man to all veterans` affairs,`` Kaplan said. ``He is on the lookout for anything that may stymie the veteran in the search for benefits.``